The Malaysian immigration authorities have revealed details of the requirements for those looking to travel on the upcoming Singapore – Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, which is initially restricted to air travel between Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from 29th November 2021.
While the process for Malaysia – Singapore quarantine-free travel is the one we are already used to when returning from most other VTL countries, the bilateral nature of this agreement means there are additional requirements imposed by Malaysia for travellers coming from Singapore.
In particular, travellers will have to take pre-departure and on-arrival tests in both directions, and travel on designated VTL flights to Malaysia as well as on the way back to Singapore, a first for the VTL scheme.
Singapore – Malaysia
Here are the eligibility and process details now published for Singapore – Malaysia travellers.
Singapore – Kuala Lumpur
Eligibility and Process
- All nationalities are accepted (visa may be required).
- No advance application is required, except if you require a Malaysian entry visa, based on nationality.
- You must have no travel history to any place other than Singapore or Malaysia in the last consecutive 14 days prior to departure to Malaysia. This sticking point applies even if you have been in other VTL countries – Malaysia does not recognise those under this scheme.
- You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with any WHO approved vaccine, or one approved by a stringent regulatory authority, including different vaccine brands for respective doses. A digitally verifiable vaccination certificate is required.
- Children aged 12 or under based on date of birth are exempt from the vaccination requirement, when travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
- You must have a travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of RM100,000 (~S$32,500) for COVID-19 related medical costs (short-term visitors only, including business travellers).
- You must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within two days before departure from the Singapore. Children aged 2 or below in the calendar year are exempt. (e.g. departure on 10th December, test on 8th December 00:00 onwards).
- You must have a return ticket (short-term visitors only). Presumably, an onward ticket out of Malaysia is also acceptable, in case you want to head to another VTL country like the UK.
- You must travel on designated VTL flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (full list here).
- You must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at BP Clinical Health Lab KLIA (pre-immigration).
- Await the results in a designated waiting area (available within 1-3 hours).
- Clear immigration.
- Download the MySejahtera app and adhere to prevailing public health measures during your stay.
- You may transfer to the rest of peninsular Malaysia after arrival, including islands such as Penang and Langkawi.
Malaysia – Singapore
Here are the standard eligibility and process details also confirmed for the Malaysia – Singapore part of the journey, with no surprises in this direction:
Kuala Lumpur – Singapore
Eligibility and Process
- All nationalities are accepted (visa may be required).
- Have no travel history to any place other than Malaysia, Singapore, any Category 1 country or any VTL countries in the last consecutive 14 days prior to departure to Singapore.
- Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (any WHO approved vaccine) in Malaysia, Singapore or any VTL country, with the final dose completed at least 14 days prior to arrival in Singapore, including digitally certifiable evidence (QR code).
- Children aged 12 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt from the vaccination requirement, when travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
- Apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) between 7 and 60 days before your intended date of entry into Singapore (visitors and LTP holders only).
- Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance with a coverage of at least S$30,000 (short-term visitors only).
- Have a negative COVID-19 PCR or ART test result from a recognised testing institution within two calendar days prior to departure (e.g. departure on 10th December, test on 8th December 00:00 onwards). Children 2 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt.
- Travel on designated VTL flights from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (full list here).
- Complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Singapore Changi Airport (children 2 or under in the calendar year of arrival are exempt).
- Download and activate the TraceTogether app (visitors only).
- Self-isolate at place of residence or suitable accommodation such as a hotel or serviced apartment until negative test result received (typically 4-6 hours).
- Attend a Day 3 and Day 7 supervised self-swab ART test, if still in Singapore on those days (Day 1 is your arrival day).
COVID-19 testing costs
Singapore residents travelling to Kuala Lumpur will require a pre-departure PCR test, taken within two days of the departure date from Singapore (e.g. departure on 10th December, test on 8th December 00:00 onwards), plus an on-arrival PCR test at KLIA.
This is in addition to four VTL tests on the journey back to Singapore (pre-departure ART/PCR + on-arrival PCR + Day 3 ART + Day 7 ART).
VTL
|
| Test | Cost |
| Singapore pre-departure* | S$107 – S$200 |
| KLIA Arrival | S$81 (MY nationals) S$114 (SG & other nationals) |
| Malaysia pre-departure (ART)* | ~S$30 – S$45 |
| Singapore arrival | S$125 |
| Day 3 | S$15 |
| Day 7 | S$15 |
| Total | S$373 – S$514 |
* Prices vary between providers and locations.
As you can see that means an approximate S$370 – S$520 per head testing cost, for a round-trip – so no such thing as “a cheap weekend in KL” for a while!
Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP)
Those travelling from Malaysia to Singapore on a VTL flight who are not Singapore Citizens or Permanent residents will have to apply for a VTP 7-60 days prior to departure.
VTP applications for those arriving from Malaysia open on 22nd November 2021 at 10am Singapore Time (7 days prior to the first eligible arrivals).
VTL designated flights
VTL designated flights have now been confirmed by the following airlines:
Singapore – Kuala Lumpur VTL
Designated Flights
| Airline | Frequency |
 |
7 x weekly |
 |
7 x weekly |
 |
7 x weekly |
 |
7 x weekly |
 |
4 x weekly |
 |
10 x weekly |
| All Airlines | 42 x weekly |
Important
VTL in both directions
The important thing to note is that this represents the first bilateral Vaccinated Travel Lane where you must take a designated VTL flight from Singapore as well as when returning to Singapore (or vice-versa for those starting their trip in KL), to enjoy quarantine-free arrival status as part of the scheme.
The schedule is as follows:
Singapore – Kuala Lumpur
VTL Flights
27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
 |
3K683 A320 |
||||||||
| SIN 07:00 |
KUL 08:10 |
||||||||
 |
SQ106 A350-900 |
||||||||
| SIN 08:30 |
KUL 09:30 |
||||||||
 |
OD804 737-800 |
||||||||
| SIN 12:20 |
KUL 13:20 |
||||||||
 |
AK710 A320 |
||||||||
| SIN 13:30 |
KUL 14:40 |
||||||||
 |
MH606 A330 |
||||||||
| SIN 14:40 |
KUL 15:40 |
||||||||
|
SQ122 A350-900 |
||||||||
| SIN 16:40 |
KUL 17:40 |
||||||||
 |
TR472 787-9 |
||||||||
| SIN 17:30 |
KUL 18:30 |
||||||||
Important
From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur – Singapore
VTL Flights
27th March 2022 - 31st March 2022
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
|
3K684 A320 |
||||||||
| KUL 08:50 |
SIN 10:00 |
||||||||
|
SQ105 A350-900 |
||||||||
| KUL 10:25 |
SIN 11:35 |
||||||||
|
OD803 737-800 |
||||||||
| KUL 10:30 |
SIN 11:30 |
||||||||
|
AK711 A320 |
||||||||
| KUL 11:45 |
SIN 13:00 |
||||||||
|
MH603 A330 |
||||||||
| KUL 12:30 |
SIN 13:30 |
||||||||
|
SQ121 A350-900 |
||||||||
| KUL 18:40 |
SIN 19:50 |
||||||||
|
TR473 787-9 |
||||||||
| KUL 19:30 |
SIN 20:35 |
||||||||
Important
From 1st April 2022, there will be no more designated VTL flights to Singapore.All fully vaccinated travellers can enter quarantine-free on any flight operated by any airline on any route.
As you can see there are options throughout the day including both full-service and low-cost carriers.
Additional services and other new entry and exit points in Malaysia and Singapore may be added “upon mutual agreement”, which means we may potentially see the likes of Penang and Langkawi join the scheme in due course, plus there’s hope for a possible resurrection of Firefly’s Seletar – Subang service.
(Cover Photo: James Kerwin)
Hi, currently under non-VTL, KLIA on-arrival PCR test is free for Malaysians. Will it be free under VTL?
Good question it doesn’t appear so but stay tuned and we’ll find out!
It doesn’t make sense if we are charged for the test under VTL. Same test, same nationality.
Yeah I agree but I’m not sure yet whether the exemption applies for this. Should know soon so stay tuned.
Yeah, thanks!
Can anyone share if on arrival PCR test is free for Malaysians at KLIA/KLIA2?
Thanks!
I would be confident to say yes as the FAQ on this link (last updated on 19th Nov) indicates that testing is free for all Malaysians. There is no exclusion clause for this statement. See FAQ points 4 and 7. However, you must ensure that you have a negative pre-departure PCR result.
Link to FAQ: https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/garis-panduan/gp-umum-covid19/perubahan-prosedur-bagi-pengembara-tiba-ke-malaysia-11082021/FAQ_for_Travellers_191121.pdf
Source: https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/garis-panduan/gp-umum-covid19/perubahan-prosedur-bagi-pengembara-tiba-ke-malaysia-11082021 (see under FAQ tab, if need to you can change to EN option for the English version).
Should have made myself clearer. I was referring to VTL. The requirements that you shared are for non-VTL.
Read news on CNA, Malaysians will have to pay for the test at the airport.
Double standard. This is sad.
Confirmed Malaysian has to pay as the price has Malaysia n non Malaysian. I just reached KL n cleared, if u pay more, 1 hour express works. Not sure anybody shared, please book your pcr at klia n download my sejahtera before you check in at Changi Airport. It is checked at Changi. Took me 40 min to check in for MAS. Better go early, else queue is very long 😅
Thanks, Leanne.
This is just sad. Did you pay for the test only when you arrived in KLIA?
I have already downloaded MySejahtera and got the Helpdesk to record my Singapore vaccination in MySejahtera.
Hi does anybody know if cabin crew members are exempted from the 14 days travel history before departing to Malaysia on a VTL flight?
Replying to your earlier question on pcr at klia. Pls book n pay before you check in at Changi, one of the check is that you should book your test in advance.
Thanks, Leanne.
Im confused about the “within 2 days prior to departure” PCR.
Does it mean if I am to arrive to Singapore on a Sunday, I have to get the test done on Friday or Saturday?
No, this 2 days is before departing from the overseas country. So if you are leaving Malaysia on Sunday, you must take the PCR either Friday or Saturday. Take note that the time taken for PCR test results varies so you need to check and ensure you can get it on time before you check in for departure to Singapore.
The test must be conducted within 48 hours prior to your flight time.
In which direction?
Malaysia has just announced that for VTL from Singapore to Malaysia, pre-departure PCR is required 48 hours prior to departure.
What is the difference between 2 days and 48 hours?
Noticed that the last point from Singapore to Malaysia is “You may transfer to the rest of peninsular Malaysia after arrival, including islands such as Penang and Langkawi” what about immediate transfer to Sabah or Sarawak? or stay in Peninsula Malaysia for a week and then fly out to Sabah or Sarawak?
Have a look at Airasia’s post on these 2 states seems like they are not open for tourists yet. You will need to apply to enter these states and qurantine may also be needed. If you do manage to get all the entry requirements done, then there shouldn’t be any issue to fly there through transit via KLIA (though you have to check on flight availability separately). SG VTL recognises via country-level and the VTL flight itself.
https://newsroom.airasia.com/news/urgent-reminders-for-travellers-to-sabah-sarawak
Thanks Jay. Great job in getting all these so fast & in one place. TQ
Not so happy even with VTL open quite troublesome can be confusing too plus whatever charges in these and that.
Then don’t travel. Thanks
What to do…things are not like before. Hopefully in due course the authorities can simplify some process a bit. It appears quite redundant we need to take pcr before departing and another pcr upon arrival as Malaysia is so near.
Hi, does anyone know if I were to take a 1 way non VTL from SIN to KUL. Then purchase a 1 way return on a VTL flight from KUL-SIN. Is that allowed and do I need to serve quarantine in SIN since my first point of journey started with a non VTL.
No need quarantine. Singapore rule is you need to take VTL flight back to Singapore AND stay within VTL countries in the 14 days period, which can also include your time in Singapore prior to travelling to KL.
However if you leave Malaysia after your SIN-KUL flight to a Non-VTL country (eg Thailand), then you come back to Malaysia and take a VTL KUL-SIN, you will still need to follow the quarantine procedure depending on which Category that country is in.
I think the requirement to take ONLY VTL both ways re:bilateral thing is not true. It only refers to other VTL scheme (except S.Korea and Msia) where a VTL is not required to enter (think Europe/USA) – thus its one way VTL. Here both governments allow entry from travellers both ways, nothing in any press release mentions that taking VTL for prior journey is a requirement for quarantine free (return journey). Imagine the hassle and how about those that just wants to go one-way.
But this article is about Malaysia, which as you rightly say is a bilateral VTL agreement, and the first to require you to take VTL flights in both directions.
Unilateral agreements (e.g. France / USA) do not.
I’m not sure I understand your point?
I suppose this is emphasized because you have to show a return ticket on arrival in Malaysia (all except PRs and holders of long-term passes)? They didn’t specify that it has to be a VTL ticket, and no such requirement is stated in the Annex for arrival in Singapore.
I find it weird because it sounds like you can only book return VTL flights if you want to be included under this scheme, from this part of the post:- “you must take a designated VTL flight from Singapore as well as when returning to Singapore (or vice-versa for those starting their trip in KL), to enjoy quarantine-free arrival status as part of the scheme.”
Does it make sense to say:
– you can book one-way VTL flight and skip quarantine if you are returning residents of Singapore/Malaysia
– you can mix VTL and non-VTL flights and just have to serve quarantine for trip where you took non-VTL flight, if you are a Malaysian, Singapore PR
My bad as i read it differently. It sounds like you must take a VTL in (For example SG-KL), if you want to get quarantine free VTL (KL-SG). Actually you dont. Example: I am in Malaysia now after serving quarantine in October, but its perfectly fine (i think) for me to take VTL back to SG. That answers another comment by Jo Chen in this thread i think, and YH Gan perfectly sums it up.
What is the source of these flight schedule ? May I check ? Thanks
What is the source of these flight schedule ? May I check ? Thanks
Hi, anyone can help to answer.if I travel to KL first and I stay overnight in KL. then the next day I travel to Sabah. Will it counted as domestic flight in Sabah? So I can exempted from quarantine?
Both Sabah and Sarawak is still not open to tourists unless you are Malaysian.
https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/mhapp/hq/en/important-notice/malaysia/sabah.html
Hi, yes I’m Malaysian and my hometown is Sabah
. But the travel advisory in airlines pages are so confusing, all different.
My travel plan in SG>KL>SABAH.
but I’m not transiting. I’ll be staying overnight in KL then only fly to Sabah the next day.
But the problem is will Sabah treated my flight as international or domestic? Cause technically my flight is domestic flight, but the day before is international flight lol.
Appreciate if anyone can help to unpuzzle it.
Hi Anita,
Best you follow the advice from the airline that you are taking. If you intend to purchase from Malaysia Airlines, check and get the written advice from them. Vice versa for other airlines. At least you will have something to argue against.
Assuming you are an adult, the criteria from what I read on the Sabah Command website (https://command.sabah.gov.my/SOP/SOP_PPN_FASA_4_SABAH_MULAI_8_NOVEMBER_2021.pdf):
1) All Malaysia citizens are allowed to enter Sabah for social visits AND
2) Fully vaccinated AND
3) Negative PCR test within 3 days before entering Sabah
If you have all those, you can enter Sabah regardless of the transit status or days.
Hi Jay, not sure why I can’t reply to ur latest comment. So I’ll reply here.
Thanks for ur reply. I saw that Sabah notice too. But there’s one line stated
“Pengembara warganegara dan bukan warganegara yang baru tiba Dari luar negara dan singgah di klia wajib quarantine for 14days.”
So I’m very the confused. Transit then need to quarantine. If I stay overnight in KL, that still counted as transit?
I’ve written an email to Malaysia airlines, but they only replied me what’s stated in their advisory page, which is still not answering my any question lol.
Hi Anita,
Can you let me know where that KLIA phrase is? Tried looking through that document but unable to find.
Hi Jay,
From the link u shared, slide 7
Hi Anita,
Oh dear I didn’t read that part. It sounds to me that you are not part of the transit category as it is not within the direct route to Sabah. I also cross reference with Malaysia Airlines advisory:
Meanwhile, all international arrival passengers with connecting flight within 24 hours to Sabah, not exiting KLIA transit terminal building and has obtained the approval of “Home Quarantine”, are allowed to continue journey. They will be given the quarantine wristband/ surveillance bracelets upon arrival at the destination’s airport and undergo mandatory quarantine of 7 days. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers must observe a 10-day quarantine.
So you need to be in a connecting flight and not exiting KLIA to be considered as transit passenger. Given that you have already gone through the needed COVID checks at KLIA and exited the airport, you would be classified as domestic traveller and on top of that, a Malaysian and a Sabahan. So Category of Passengers Allowed Entry you passed, and assuming you already have been fully vaccinated, Travel Procedures & Quarantine Order also passed. The only issue is your PCR test is not from Malaysia so that may be a red flag when you enter Sabah.
Refer to Slide 8, there are contact nos there via Whatsapp. You can fully clarify with the Sabah officials. That should be better.
Hi Jay. Thanks for the clarification. Appreciate it!?
Yup I plan to contact them but they not working on weekends lol.
For the PCR test, since we need to do a mandatory PCR test at klia upon arrival KL from SG, can’t I just use that as my Malaysia PCR result?
Hi Anita,
I’m not sure about that. It might be possible but I’m just wary about that fact you are from overseas, going into KL then moving on to Sabah. If you use that PCR result from KLIA, Sabah side may decide that you are considered international traveller and subject you to further restrictions. The articles all say that the health officials at the Sabah entry points will ultimately decide your risk status. So hopefully the contacts at Slide 8 can shed some light to your situation.
Hi Jay,
Saw new announcement from Sabah
“Tourists from the peninsula or anywhere who come to Sabah from Dec 1 need not undergo the swab test as long as they are fully vaccinated”
Does it mean, no PCR test result needed anymore?? 😃
Sounds like it but nothing changed on the SOP from Command Sabah as yet. It would probably be changed nearer to Dec 1.
Hi Jay, I’m sabahan I’m planning to take flight from SIN-KUL-BKI. my question is can i take Non-VTL flight SIN-KUL? After awhile in Sabah I’m planning to come back to Singapore. First flight I’m thinking to take Non-VTL flight SIN-KUL and VTL flight KUL-SIN when I’m returning to SG. is that allows?
Yes, even if you are a Malaysian, taking a non-VTL flight warrants a